Books Blog : London, humorhttp://evpl.org/community/blogs/books/archive/tags/London/humor/default.aspxTags: London, humorenCommunityServer 2008 SP1 (Build: 30619.63)Elizabeth II, in Film and Fictionhttp://evpl.org/community/blogs/books/archive/2013/01/14/elizabeth-ii-in-film-and-fiction.aspxMon, 14 Jan 2013 19:45:00 GMT9a7b961d-7882-4302-b701-732ca0e566f2:2434myzticrhythmz@evpl0http://evpl.org/community/blogs/books/rsscomments.aspx?PostID=2434http://evpl.org/community/blogs/books/archive/2013/01/14/elizabeth-ii-in-film-and-fiction.aspx#comments<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:small;"><img height="296" width="200" src="http://contentcafe2.btol.com/ContentCafe/Jacket.aspx?UserID=III21&amp;Password=BT0005&amp;Return=1&amp;Type=L&amp;Value=9780062208286" alt="Mrs. Queen Takes the Train" style="float:left;" /></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:small;">Britain&rsquo;s Royal Family is always a source of curiosity, and their Monarch is no exception.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp; </span>Queen Elizabeth II, who celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, has been featured in a number of films, documentaries, and books over the past several years. Here are a few to enjoy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:small;"><strong><em><a href="http://evans.evpl.org/search~S0?/tqueen+vid/tqueen+vid/1%2C3%2C4%2CB/frameset&amp;FF=tqueen+videorecording&amp;1%2C%2C2">The Queen</a></em></strong>, a 2006 feature film starring Oscar-winner Helen Mirren, portrays the turmoil in the Royal Family in the days following Diana, Princess of Wales&rsquo; death. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp;</span>This film portrays the public&rsquo;s strong sentiment in favor of the Princess, as the Queen struggles with a proper response to her former daughter-in-law&rsquo;s death. Mirren&rsquo;s portrayal is sensitive, with a bit of humor thrown in, and well worth the viewing.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:small;">As Queen, Elizabeth has sometimes seemed detached from her subjects, and fiction authors have responded by imagining her in creative ways. Alan Bennett&rsquo;s <strong><em><a href="http://evans.evpl.org/search/?searchtype=t&amp;SORT=D&amp;searcharg=uncommon+reader">The Uncommon Reader</a></em></strong> poses a unique notion: What if Queen Elizabeth became such an avid reader that she loses interest in her &ldquo;duty,&rdquo; and becomes more introspective and sympathetic to others? This novella is a quick, pithy read, and sure to bring a smile.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-size:small;">Author William Kuhn creates a different scenario for the Queen. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp;</span>In <strong><em><a href="http://evans.evpl.org/search/?searchtype=t&amp;SORT=D&amp;searcharg=mrs+queen+takes+the+train">Mrs. Queen Takes the Train</a></em></strong>, the longtime&nbsp;Sovereign of the United Kingdom <span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp;</span>ponders what she might be find missing in her life. The answer, strangely enough, is <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight:bold;">Her Majesty&#39;s Yacht <i>Britannia</i></span>, the former </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_yacht" title="Royal yacht"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none;text-underline:none;"><span style="font-size:small;">Royal Yacht</span></span></a><span style="font-size:small;"> of the British monarch. Alone on an inclement winter&rsquo;s day, Elizabeth grows restless. First, she decides to visit one of her horses, also named Elizabeth. Then she&rsquo;s off to the cheese store to buy Elizabeth (the horse) some of her favorite cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp; </span>And finally, Elizabeth boards a public train bound for Scotland to visit her beloved yacht. The chaos that ensues among the Queen&rsquo;s staff and acquaintances by her unexpected journey helps cement relationships, and demonstrates loyalty beyond &ldquo;duty&rdquo; to their Sovereign. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes;">&nbsp;</span>This book, like <strong><em>The Queen</em></strong> and <strong><em>The Uncommon Reader</em></strong>, adds a bit of warmth and compassion to a celebrated historical figure. </span></p>
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<span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:small;">For more in the Library&rsquo;s catalog about Queen Elizabeth, click <a href="http://evans.evpl.org/search~S0/?searchtype=d&amp;searcharg=Elizabeth+II%2C+Queen+of+Great+Britain&amp;SORT=D&amp;extended=0&amp;searchlimits=&amp;searchorigarg=dElizabeth+II%2C+Queen+of+Great+Britain%2C+1926-+--+Ju">here</a>.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:small;">Grab a warm cup of tea and your favorite QEII tale, and enjoy!</span></p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://evpl.org/community/aggbug.aspx?PostID=2434" width="1" height="1">humorfictionLondonbiographical fictionmovieEnglandbook reviewRoyal FamilyQueenElizabeth IIRecent Chick Lit Readshttp://evpl.org/community/blogs/books/archive/2009/10/14/recent-chick-lit-reads.aspxWed, 14 Oct 2009 21:33:00 GMT9a7b961d-7882-4302-b701-732ca0e566f2:1902KickinLibrarian@evpl0http://evpl.org/community/blogs/books/rsscomments.aspx?PostID=1902http://evpl.org/community/blogs/books/archive/2009/10/14/recent-chick-lit-reads.aspx#comments<p><img height="211" width="163" src="http://wwwimage.cbsnews.com/images/2009/09/28/image5345445.jpg" alt="Prospect Park West" style="margin:10px;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img height="214" width="161" src="http://www.halogenlife.com/shared_assets/images/0002/6921/mercury.jpg" alt="Mercury in Retrograde" style="margin:10px;vertical-align:bottom;" />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img height="215" width="162" src="http://www.sweetspot.ca/uploaded_images/TwentiesGirl.jpg" alt="Twenties Girl" style="margin:10px;" /></p>
<p>In the past few weeks since my last blog post, I have been on a chick-lit rampage.&nbsp; I have been speed-reading through recent releases like I don&#39;t have a hundred other things to do.&nbsp; Laundry piled up, kitchen didn&#39;t get cleaned, and packing for my move didn&#39;t happen.&nbsp; These three books are part of the reason that I have been slacking.&nbsp; </p>
<p><em>Prospect Park West&nbsp;</em>by Amy Sohn&nbsp;takes place in Brooklyn&#39;s prosperous&nbsp;Park Slope&nbsp;neighborhood.&nbsp; The lives of four women intersect as they deal with husbands, children, and playground politics.&nbsp; Not earth-shattering reading, but worth a chance if you have the time.</p>
<p><em>Mercury in </em>Retrograde by Paula&nbsp;Froelich has a cover&nbsp;strikingly similar&nbsp;to Prospect Park West.&nbsp;&nbsp;Froelich&#39;s novel takes place across the bridge in Manhattan where three&nbsp;women who are down on their luck join forces to get their lives back in order.&nbsp; The ending&nbsp;is pretty predictable, but it is an enjoyable read.</p>
<p>Going across the pond to England, Sophie Kinsella&#39;s&nbsp;latest book<em>, Twenties&nbsp;Girl</em>, introduces us&nbsp;to&nbsp;Sadie, a wild flapper from the 1920s and her great-niece, Lara, living in&nbsp;present-day London.&nbsp; Sadie has passed away alone in a retirement home, but&nbsp;her spirit remains on&nbsp;Earth pushing Lara to find&nbsp;who stole Sadie&#39;s prized possession.&nbsp;&nbsp;True to Kinsella form, this book is laugh out loud funny and&nbsp;highly recommended.&nbsp; </p>
<p>Happy Reading!&nbsp;</p><div style="clear:both;"></div><img src="http://evpl.org/community/aggbug.aspx?PostID=1902" width="1" height="1">humorreviewsfictionbookschick litLondonfunnylovewomenfriendsSophie KinsellaAmy SohnPaula Froelich